The most powerful Pocket PC Phone Edition device, the MDA III, is now shipping from T-Mobile Germany. I ordered an unlocked model from an eBay seller and FedEx shows it arriving at my house this afternoon. I paid over US$900 for this device … most people probably think I am crazy, but I bought the MDA II for just about that price 6 months ago and have used it every day. The MDA II is my primary device, and as a data-centric user it was the device I had been wanting for quite some time. The MDA III improves on all the areas I have been seeking, with Wi-Fi, the Widcomm Bluetooth stack instead of the lame Microsoft one, a backlit thumb-keyboard, and WM2003 Second Edition with landscape support. You can't get landscape support on the MDA II with software since all the apps cause constant resets, and I like landscape for writing and surfing. I am a HUGE thumb-keyboard fan, and am excited to get such a nice backlit one–although it is a QWERTZ layout with the Z and Y switched. However, since I will be thumb typing, I don't think it will be that big of a deal. I will be posting a full review of the MDA III soon, and my MDA II is now up for sale on various PDA discussion boards. Thanks to PPCW.Net for the notice.

I'll tell you tonight(2:09pm EST Thu Sep 30 2004)I want to make sure that I actually receive what is advertised before I steer our readers to a scam. It is supposed to be at my house this afternoon and I'll post the seller's id if everything is legitimate. - by palmsolo

heh(3:09pm EST Thu Sep 30 2004)I was working on a german laptop this last week, not only are the Y and Z switched, / : and all the shift number keys are different. Very interestingIt took a little getting used to

not as bad as Dvorak layout though, that took a week for me to learn - by Mr. Wizard

MDA III close to perfect smartphone(3:15pm EST Thu Sep 30 2004)The MDA III comes closest to being my perfect smartphone. A 4-inch VGA screen and maybe a higher-capacity battery would round out a perfect package. Device size doesn't really matter to me as long as it doesn't equal the size of a laptop. - by Virtuous

p-solo(3:15pm EST Thu Sep 30 2004)I bet you CANNOT wait to get home! you may even drive aroundthe block a couple times to psyche yourself out :) I might. haha…. simple things :) - by me me me me

MDA III arrived in perfect condition as advertised(6:05pm EST Thu Sep 30 2004)I bought mine from aston_electronics () and I am sure the sellers would give you a great deal on the MDA III. The device is still usable for me now since I have the MDA II to compare all the menus, etc. - by palmsolo

SELLING MDAIII(6:43pm EST Thu Sep 30 2004)This is the Ebay seller who sold palmsolo his MDAIII. If ANYONE wants a MDAIII, please email me at cellular@rigidmedia.com. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have, or hook you up with a MDAIII yourself. :) - by aston_electronics